OFOAM Archives

Clawhammer Banjo - Mike Iverson

Saturday, June 2, Noon

Workshop Stage by the pond

Known locally as the driving force behind the folk/bluegrass band Blue Sage and the 2012 recipient of OFOAMs Don Baker Award for his musical contributions to the community, Mike Iverson is known worldwide for his contributions toward advancing the art of Clawhammer banjo.

Unlike it's more popular Bluegrass cousin, Clawhammer is the original technique used to play the five-string banjo and came with the instrument as it first made the journey across the ocean from West Africa. This unusual playing technique is now going through a renaissance as banjo players everywhere are starting to realize the potential of this ancient form of play. Mike Iverson is one of the leading players in this movement and has received worldwide accolades as an arranger, instructor, author, and creator of one of the world's most popular Clawhammer banjo websites.